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UK seeks Brexit signals from EU

According to reports, the UK made it clear during a meeting this week with EU ambassadors that it wants a signal from the EU about what kind of Brexit deal the EU is willing to accept before the UK triggers Article 50. This is despite the EU's insistence that no negotiations can take place before triggering the process. The UK has not, however, made clear what its specific priorities are, although there is a broad consensus among EU member states that if the UK places limits on free movement it will be difficult for it to retain access to the single market. Former French foreign minister, Michel Barnier, has been appointed to lead the Brexit negotiations with the UK and is expected to travel to EU capitals after he starts the new role on 1 October to gauge the mood. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said yesterday that Britain expects to start the procedure early next year and may not need two years to negotiate a deal.